Family

Issues

Stage Details

Legislation -
Bill Failed
(House)
(182-234) -
Nov. 4, 1997(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands tariff-free trade relations to several countries in Central America and the Caribbean.

Highlights:

Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) to allow some textile and apparel products to enter the United States from the Caribbean Basin tariff-free as part of a transitional phase leading to the participation of the United States and the Caribbean Basin in a free trade agreement.

Requests that the President arrange a meeting of the United States Trade Representative and the trade ministers of participating countries to initiate negotiations for a free trade agreement.

Calls upon the United States Trade Representative to submit to the President and selected congressional committees a report assessing each country's potential to participate in a free trade agreement.

Note:

NOTE: THIS VOTE WAS TAKEN UNDER A SUSPENSION OF THE RULES TO CUT OFF DEBATE EARLY AND VOTE TO PASS THE BILL, THEREBY REQUIRING A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY FOR PASSAGE.